FeedMore WNY

Food insecurity is widespread throughout Western New York. Add in a global pandemic, and the situation is even more dire. Combining the former Meals on Wheels and the former Food Bank of WNY, FeedMore WNY is committed to meeting the needs of food insecure citizens, and the organization has seen demand surge in the wake of COVID-19.

“Since March of 2020, when the pandemic really began to affect the Western New York region, we have seen an increased need in those who receive food assistance,” said Catherine Shick, communications director for FeedMore WNY. “In any given month before the pandemic, FeedMore WNY was serving as many as 135,000 individuals [per month]. Since March, thousands more have reached out to us for additional assistance.”

Even during normal times, people can easily find themselves in a situation where they need food assistance, from a sudden job loss to massive medical bills.

“I think a lot of people have a preconceived notion of what it means to be hungry,” Shick explained. “They may think that [food insecurity] only targets a certain population or a certain geographic area. But hunger is truly all over Western New York and it was a pervasive problem before the pandemic. We have been serving people in our suburbs, our rural communities and our cities.”

If you’re looking to care for someone experiencing food insecurity this holiday season, you can either turn to the official FeedMore WNY website or call the organization directly. The website has an interactive locator tool that can be used to find both soup kitchens and food pantries. Over the phone, a FeedMore WNY representative can recommend the level of service that someone might require, including meal deliveries through the Meals on Wheels program.

FeedMore WNY is powered by donations and volunteers. Shick said donations can be conveniently made through the website. She added that there are also a number of volunteer opportunities, including helping with meal delivery, sorting of food donations, working special events and even pitching in with office work. “There really is a variety of volunteer opportunities and we can match people with one that best suits their interest,” she said.